energy efficient doors

If you're building a new home or replacing your existing entry, patio or garage doors, take into account their energy-efficiency. Namely, buy energy-efficient entry doors and pay attention to glass doors and garage doors.

Though doors have less impact than windows on your home energy bills, it's worth to have energy-efficient garage and exterior doors.

Pay also attention to storm doors, and mainly to glass-patio doors. This last type of doors are a common cause of huge energy losses (or unwanted heat gains), and if you have simple glass-patio-garden doors and live in a non-moderate climate, the replacement of these type of doors is often a very interesting investment.

Garage doors

Garage doors may have a high impact on the thermal comfort of your garage or even in your home, if your garage is attached to it.

See, for details: Garage doors basics

Patio-garden doors

Common patio doors are extremely energy-inefficient and a cause of higher energy bills.

See: Patio & Glass & Garden doors

Storm doors

A storm door may save energy by reducing air leakage.

See, for details on storm doors: Storm doors

Interior wood doors

When purchasing wood doors, do not forget that wood can be harvested in an unsustainable way, contributing to forest destruction and climate change. To avoid it, prefer doors made of certified wood.

See, for details: Certified Wood and Environment

Preventing Heat Losses

Heat may be lost through the door core and frame, through leakages around the door, and through glass in the case of patio doors or doors with windows and glass elements.

A high energy efficient door can reduce dramatically all these sources of heat loss.

In some cases, storm doors, airlock vestibules, windbreaks and location of the door (out of the path of prevailing winds) are also elements you should consider.

The glass element of doors

Make sure that the glass elements of your doors are double or triple-paned. And that the glass is a low-emittance (low-E) type.

See, for details: Low-E glasses

Frames and core materials

Metal-clad doors are more efficient than solid wooden doors. Highly efficient exterior and garage doors are usually made of fiberglass, wood cladding, and steel with polyurethane foam or other insulation layer.

See: Exterior doors and Garage doors

Weatherstripping and sealing

Energy-efficient doors are insulated and tightly sealed to prevent air from leaking through or around them. Make sure your doors are properly insulated and have door sweeps at the bottom to prevent air leaks. In some cases, insulated storm doors are also helpful, since they may provide an additional barrier to leaking air.

See, for details: Storm doors and Exterior doors

Efficiency rating

Energy Star doors are a warranty of quality. When selecting doors, check warranties, and take into account their energy rating.

To get the most out of a door, have it installed by a competent professional.

See, for information on tax credits: Tax credits and rebates